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Wire Wrapped Tree

05/23/2012 by Adrianne Surian 54 Comments

Well, voting is now closed for this week’s challenge at One Artsy Mama, which means it’s big reveal day here!  I’m so excited to show you my entry.  Did you go vote?

I am happy to say that while I didn’t win this round overall (the competition was pretty impressive!) I am advancing to round 2.  The theme is Mod Podge, so stay tuned next week!



This was a very fun project for me.  I have a friend getting married this October in the desert.  I had been thinking I wanted to make a little family tree for her, and with the contest theme being “beads” – I was hit with inspiration.  Why not make an actual tree, with birthstone beads representing their families?  The end result is something that embodies both roots and growth, which is the perfect message for the beginning of a new life together!


This is a bit more time-intensive than what I usually show you, but I wanted something special not just for the contest, but also for my friend’s gift.  I would estimate I have about 5 hours into it, because beading and wire wrapping, while not difficult, can be pretty time-intensive.  I did work on it about an hour at a time, so it is something that you can easily put away and come back to later.  I’m also not going to go into a lot of detail here, because this is one of those things where there is no right or wrong, you just have to go with it however it shapes up for you.  I’ll just give you a few pointers.  If you try it, use plenty of wire and do what you like the looks of, and you can’t go wrong. :)

I started with a rock from my yard.  If you attempt this, I have some suggestions.  You definitely want something flat and stable on the bottom, and after putting this together, I was surprised at how heavy the beads were after adding so many.  So I would say, as a general rule, decide how far you want your branches to reach on all sides, and choose a rock that’s an equal diameter.  Mine was slightly more top-heavy than I would have preferred.  It doesn’t just tip over or anything, but I want it to be really safe from getting bumped into.  I will probably mount it on a small wooden base before giving it for added stability (which will also protect any surfaces from that wire under the rock).

First, I cut about 2 dozen lengths of copper and brass wire about 24″ long for a tree about 8″ or 9″ tall.  I used 24 gauge copper and 22 gauge brass… and if I were to do it differently, I would use 24 gauge for the whole thing.  While I love the looks of the two thicknesses, the 22 gauge was too big in diameter for my smaller beads!  Fortunately the larger beads were fine, so I stuck with it, but if you’re shopping – shop for 24 gauge for the whole thing.  So test out your beads and make sure they will work – then, wrap the “roots” around the rock base.

Once you have your roots started, twist your wire to create your trunk.  You’ll want to wrap a few additional times closer to the bottom before moving up to make it thicker at the bottom – more like a natural tree trunk.

Once you’re satisfied with the height, start sorting your wires back out to form branches.  This was my favorite part.  Consider starting each main branch with anywhere between 4-8 strands of wire, give it a twist, and continue separating them and branching them out until you are down to just individual wires.

The beads here represent the people in my friend’s and her fiance’s families.  I did a little research on birthstones, and found that most months are already represented by easily obtainable semi-precious stones.  I was able to find genuine garnet (for January), amethyst (February), peridot (August), and citrine (November).  Diamonds and rubies were of course out of my budget, but with a little more digging I found that carnelian alternatively represents July, and white quartz represents April.  So with everyone finally represented, I got to work beading each branch.

Now, I found it most helpful to work from the lower branches and go upward, but there’s no rule.

As you go, just look at your proportions and arrange the beads and branches in a random and natural-looking way.  When I got to the end of each branch, I just coiled up the wire on round-nose pliers, but you could finish it any way that appeals to you.

Thanks for dropping by to let me show off! :)

I link up to these great parties!
~ Adrianne

Filed Under: Featured, Jewelry, Tutorials Tagged With: beads, tree, wire wrapping

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. good quality fruit

    12/23/2016 at 7:09 am

    Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really understand what you are talking
    about! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my site =).
    We could have a hyperlink alternate contract
    among us

    Reply
  2. Diana Bruno

    07/19/2015 at 2:13 pm

    Is it possible to download this awesome pattern.

    Reply
    • Adrianne

      07/19/2015 at 2:19 pm

      Hi Diana! There’s no pattern… I just jumped in and started twisting – I used 24 pieces, 24 inches long each, of 24 gauge wire. (I used some 22 gauge also but I wouldn’t recommend it, as it was a little too large for some of the beads). It made a 8-9″ tree.

      Sorry I’m not more help there, though I did try to describe how I constructed it!

      Reply
      • Lila

        10/31/2018 at 10:19 pm

        How many strings (inches)of beads would you say?

        Reply
  3. Pam

    08/29/2014 at 9:05 am

    Hi Adrianne! I have searched high and low for birthstone beads. Could you please tell me where you got yours? My daughter’s blended family symbol is a tree and I would love to make this for her for Christmas. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Adrianne

      08/29/2014 at 9:16 am

      Hobby Lobby usually has some, though not all the months. Another great source to check would be Happy Mango Beads (online) or check on Etsy for suppliers.

      Reply
  4. roscissors

    03/27/2014 at 6:15 pm

    I think I’ll try to make one in my style. Its gorgeous!

    Reply
  5. Tammy

    01/11/2014 at 12:15 am

    this is stunning. I am drooling! awesome!

    Reply
  6. hannah augur

    06/16/2013 at 4:23 pm

    what kind of beads are those and where could I get some? please thank you

    Reply
  7. Glenda

    05/22/2013 at 12:10 pm

    Jtk, ive improved my trees (5)..having 5 married daughters with kids …I made each one for their families…they really turned out great…now these are shelf worthy…
    Thanks for a wonderful craft…

    Reply
  8. Marilyn

    01/07/2013 at 12:26 pm

    This is such a gorgeous project, Adrianne! You have such a great eye for color and form!

    Reply
  9. Roxana

    12/31/2012 at 8:02 pm

    Haha! I found your tree on 4 You With Love’s Best of 2012. Saw it, loved it and clicked on it. I didn’t realize it was one of your posts. Glad you shared it :)

    Reply
  10. georgina

    12/26/2012 at 10:52 am

    this is pretty fine I love it so much

    Reply
  11. ATasteOfMadness

    12/09/2012 at 11:10 am

    Wow, this is GORGEOUS!!! I am definitely making this soon!

    Reply
  12. Ida Jørgensen

    12/02/2012 at 3:24 am

    I would really love to make this for my mother for Christmas :D
    But I am unsure how to start… and also a little of the rest.
    Do you make video tutorials? Or maybe you can give some extra tips for a newbie? :)

    Reply
  13. Nicholl Vincent

    06/27/2012 at 3:37 am

    hi from the gfc hop!

    visit nichollvincent.blogspot.com

    have a good night!

    Reply
  14. Loren Crane

    06/06/2012 at 3:06 pm

    I just love this! Its perfect for my project I am doing!! I am a new follower over from One Artsy Mama. I hope you stop by my blog http://www.pandoras-craftbox.com.

    Reply
  15. Pocketful Of Dreams

    06/03/2012 at 2:56 am

    That's great! It is like the 3D version of the Tree of Life necklaces. I always love every chance I get to showcase my family.= so that's perfect.

    Reply
  16. Jill

    05/31/2012 at 12:49 pm

    I am featuring your amazing tree at todays link party! Wahoo!!

    http://twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com/2012/05/thursdays-temptation-19-fabulous.html
    Jill

    Reply
  17. Mandy

    05/31/2012 at 12:50 am

    Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday – – you were featured today!!
    –Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

    Reply
  18. The Lovely Mrs. P

    05/30/2012 at 9:28 pm

    The tree came out awesome! I am not sure I would have the patience! Thank for linkin up
    Kim@madeinaday

    Reply
  19. MrsFoxsSweets

    05/28/2012 at 9:18 pm

    This looks amazing! You did an awesome job and are so creative!

    Reply
  20. Christina

    05/27/2012 at 10:31 pm

    Thank you so much for this project! I also made one and blogged about it here:
    http://variform-christina.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  21. Evelyn

    05/27/2012 at 12:48 pm

    I am so happy you brought your tree to my Freedom Fridays! I love this tree:) Thank you for sharing:)

    Reply
  22. Christine

    05/25/2012 at 11:40 pm

    This is so amazing! This gives me inspiration to make a tree to hang my jewelry on. Great job!

    Reply
  23. Nicole

    05/25/2012 at 5:37 pm

    That is gorgeous! Please stop by my blog hop to showcase it! “Show Off Friday” http://what-about.co

    Reply
  24. Jill

    05/25/2012 at 3:36 am

    That looks so cool!! I love what you did! Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing at Thursday's Temptation.
    Jill

    Reply
  25. Liz

    05/24/2012 at 7:24 pm

    Wow, this looks so very beautiful! Seems a lot of work, too. Really lovely! Liz

    Reply
  26. Annie

    05/24/2012 at 2:43 pm

    This is just amazing! Birthstone covered family tree…what a brilliant idea! I hope to make this one day!

    Reply
  27. Chrystina Williams

    05/24/2012 at 5:19 am

    Lovely project!

    New follower from http://www.bookliaison.com

    Reply
  28. Evelyn

    05/24/2012 at 4:24 am

    Wow! What a lot of work but so awesome. I so love the way your brain creates:) Just dropping by for a visit and to invite you to TWO parties. I will be co-hosting at Katherine's Corner Thursday's Favorite Things Blog Hop and hosting my Freedom Fridays Blog Hop. Hope to see you at both:)

    Reply
  29. Alecia

    05/24/2012 at 12:57 am

    This is incredible! I love the crazy, off kilter twisty trunk the most

    Reply
  30. Kara at Petals to Picots

    05/23/2012 at 11:37 pm

    Love this!

    Reply
  31. Erin

    05/23/2012 at 11:36 pm

    That is so neat! Such a great idea. :-)

    Erin
    takingtimetocreate.blogspot.com

    Reply
  32. Artsy VaVa

    05/23/2012 at 11:33 pm

    That is beautiful!

    Reply
  33. Melanie

    05/23/2012 at 8:06 pm

    I totally like the rock from your yard…and the bead work too :)

    Reply
  34. Jill

    05/23/2012 at 6:33 pm

    I KNEW this one had to be you! I just love this tree! Turned out darling! (obviously I voted for it too!). Awesome job!

    Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

    Reply
  35. kelekia1

    05/23/2012 at 6:30 pm

    I love that wired wrapped tree!!! What a work of art!!! I Love Your Blog!!! Saw it on Welcome Wednesday. Please follow me back at http://www.simplyheavenlyfood.com/

    Reply
  36. Kadie

    05/23/2012 at 5:55 pm

    I love, love, love, this!! You have some very lucky friends that's for sure! I am glad you moved on to the next round, can't wait to see what you come up with.:)

    Reply
  37. Truebluemeandyou

    05/23/2012 at 4:49 pm

    Just posted this on my blog and a reader had a really nice comment and suggestion (although you'd have to have lots of crafty creative patient people to do this!): “Is it just me or would customizing the colors of the beads and the stone base made these kind of fabulous centerpieces for a wedding? They wouldn’t be wasteful like flowers because you could use them again, use them as decor in the couple’s home, or gift them to the wedding guests. I just don’t get into wedding flowers. So much money for something that wilts halfway through the reception. So I love seeing cute, creative alternatives.”

    Reply
  38. Jillian Nicole

    05/23/2012 at 4:32 pm

    Wow that looks like a lot of work, but well worth it. I like the idea of putting pictures of the family in-between to make it more personal. Nice.

    Reply
  39. Deana

    05/23/2012 at 3:07 pm

    That is awesome…….

    Reply
  40. Sue Alexander

    05/23/2012 at 2:50 pm

    OMG I love that, I want one!

    Reply
  41. Terry

    05/23/2012 at 12:49 pm

    This turned out spectacular. I thought it was funny that you mentioned the base rock should be about the diameter of the upper branches, because I believe that's how real trees are in nature. I guess it's that way for a reason huh. Truly beautiful, Adrianne, and congratulations on advancing to the next round. Can't wait to see what you come up with for the mod podge theme

    Reply
  42. Krista Morgan

    05/23/2012 at 12:41 pm

    New follower from http://www.caveprincess.com :)Thank you for hosting! I really enjoyed looking through your page… very fun yet filled with some great information and ideas! Please stop by Cave Princess sometime!

    Reply

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Hello, and welcome! I'm Adrianne, an artist, author, designer, and blogger in mid Michigan. I work from home, chase my two kids, and this once-city-girl is learning how to care for chickens and adjusting to life out in the country. I have a compulsion for daily creativity... sometimes it's jewelry-making, paper crafting, metal stamping, mixing and baking, or giving new life to recycled items. But with 2 young kids, time is short! My goal here at Happy Hour Projects is to share projects and tips that you can do in an hour or less. The ideas you find here are designed to add a little creativity in your day, no matter how much (or how little) time you have!

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